DON’T STRESS ABOUT SLEEP
According to research, worrying about sleep can cause lost sleep. This is known as anticipatory anxiety. If you expect to have trouble sleeping, or are worried you won’t be able to get enough sleep, you may get yourself so worked up that you really can’t sleep. Instead, get to bed early and focus on creating a calming sleep environment.
GET OUT OF BED IF YOU CAN’T SLEEP
If you’re having trouble falling asleep, don’t force it. You may be thrown off by your travel schedule or the excitement and anxiety of travel. If you can’t get to sleep within 30 minutes or so, get out of bed and do something else that’s calming. Try reading, watching TV, or journaling about your travel experiences from the day.
MAINTAIN YOUR SLEEP ROUTINE
It’s tempting to stay up late and wake up early to experience as much as possible while you’re traveling, but be careful not to stretch yourself too thin. Sleeping in can also cause a problem, as oversleeping can make you feel groggy. Try to stick to your usual sleep routine. Sleep the same amount of hours as you do at home each night, even if you can’t sleep on the same schedule.
BUILD REST TIMES INTO YOUR ITINERARY
Traveling can really take it out of you, so you will likely need more time to rest and recharge while you travel. Schedule down times throughout your trip, such as an hour or two set aside to sit in a cafe, 20 minutes to take a nap, and of course, plenty of time each night to get a full night sleep
GET EXERCISE
When you’re tired and busy with travel, exercise may be the last thing on your mind. And if you’re spending your days walking the streets as you explore a new city, you’re probably exercising plenty. But if you’re not stretching your legs very much, take some time to get exercise, as it can help you sleep better. Of course, be careful not to exercise in the hours just before sleeping, as doing so can make it hard for you to relax.
DISTRACT YOURSELF
If you’re feeling anxious about travel, try to get your mind off of it before bed. Read a book before bed, listen to relaxing music, or meditate to help shift your mind into relaxation rather than stress about travel.
PRACTICE DEEP BREATHING
Deep breathing is one of the best stress reduction techniques you can do. And you can do it anywhere, so it’s perfect for travel. If you’re feeling particularly anxious, especially before bed, practice deep breathing. It can help you relax, focus, and you may even drift off to sleep while you’re doing it.
Key note: Jet lag, also known as time zone change syndrome or desynchronosis, occurs when people travel rapidly across time zones or when their sleep is disrupted, for example, because of shift work. It is a physiological condition that results from a disruption in the body's circadian rhythms, also known as the body clock.
I found this article interesting to read, but i really wonder why it is like that we often became anxious when about to embark on a traveling journey. I have had to go without sleep many times when planning for an important journey early morning the next day